2020 National Apprenticeship Week

Rhode Island Apprenticeship Week Message from Governor Raimondo

Picture of Gubnatorial Proclamation Declaring National Apprenticeship Week

Rhode Island Apprenticeship Week Message from our Executive Director

As we celebrate Rhode Island (and National) Apprenticeship Week, our work to expand Registered Apprenticeship has never been more vital. Over the last 5 years we have partnered with the RI DLT to expand Registered Apprenticeship to new industries like healthcare, IT, advanced manufacturing, fisheries and marine trades, and green and plant based industries. Our results are remarkable:

40 new programs
1000+ new apprentices launching their careers with Registered Apprenticeship
65+ non-trade employers who are reaping the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship at their businesses

Registered Apprenticeship has a unique role to play in economic recovery, providing an earn while you learn opportunity to Rhode Islanders and a proven method for employers to craft a talent development pipeline and reap the benefits of the return on investment.

Building Futures’ work to expand Registered Apprenticeship in Rhode Island began five years ago with a federal grant, part of the American Apprenticeship Initiative, and our partnership with Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. The National Governor’s Association just released a report detailing the outcomes of this tremendous investment in American workers. Despite our small size, Rhode Island came out on top- in fact we’re one of the top 10 programs in the country, exceeding our goals to partner with employers and to register new apprentices.

We are proud of our work, but we are by no means finished. The expansion of robust Registered Apprenticeship programs is vital to economic recovery for out of work Rhode Islanders and Rhode Island employers and our work at Building Futures is expanding.

Learn about grant opportunities for IT employers to develop Registered Apprenticeship programs.

Registered Apprenticeship offers a competitive return on investment for every stakeholder:

one public workforce dollar invested in Registered Apprenticeship has been demonstrated to return twenty-seven dollars to the local economy,
every dollar invested by employers in Registered Apprenticeship returns $1.47 in increased productivity and reduced turnover, and
individuals who complete Registered Apprenticeships earn, on average, $300,000 more during the lifetime of their careers.

As our partners, you know the power of Registered Apprenticeship to support Rhode Island businesses and to transform lives. We are proud of our what we have accomplished together and look forward to new opportunities to expand Registered Apprenticeship as part of the robust economic recovery Rhode Island needs. Learn about how to develop new Registered Apprenticeship programs.

You can follow along online with all of the ways we are celebrating Rhode Island Apprenticeship Week. Watch our construction pre-apprenticeship alumni leadership award ceremony honoring Building Futures’ 2012 graduate & journeyworker Ironworker Orlando Correa.

Follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,

Andrew Cortés

Executive Director

Rhode Island Employers are helping Rhode Island Get Back to Work through Registered Apprenticeship

We Make Rhode Island

“Many people need training to help them gain a foothold in our manufacturing industry. Although much of the training we do is necessary to land a manufacturing job, once employed, apprenticeship is a way to continue gaining skills and increasing your value, and paycheck.”

Rhode Island Nursery & Landscaping Association

“Registered Apprenticeship is a good opportunity for folks looking for a career with growth opportunities, a living wage, and a purpose. At RINLA, we are building resilient people who can respond and adapt to a changing environment.”

Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island

“Our Commercial Fishermen Apprenticeship Program provides a pathway to a unique life style for individuals going to Sea. Several of the apprentices went to sea on a trial trip and impressed the Captains so much that they immediately offered them a permanent site on their vessel.”